September 19, 2026 -- I Corinthians 15:33-34; 50-58 -- Preparing for the Sunday

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:33-34; 50-57

Christians are steadfastly resolved, in heart and mind, to serve Jesus. Serving Jesus is not decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances, but serving Him no matter what the day brings. Next, we are immovable; stubbornly prepared to serve Jesus rather than being swayed by the impulses and temptations of the world. Finally, we are always abounding in the work of the Lord doing all that is required of us with joy. We are not parsimonious (ungenerous) in our work, or sullen in our attitude but are abounding in the work of the Lord knowing He has supplied and is supplying all our needs.

“Wait”, you might be protesting, “I don’t experience this!” Have you dedicated yourself fully in service to God, or are you 75% God’s and 25% serving yourself? Look at your life and consider what kind of fruit you are bearing. If you are selfish, worldly, or toying with being okay with your peers six days a week and one day a week appearing to be Christian, then you are not fully trusting in Jesus.
It is good to sort this out now, before Jesus returns. If your conscience is tweaked, turn to God in prayer, asking Him to reveal what has priority in your life and what you need to get rid of. Is there something you love more than God? If you protest that God is demanding too much, then be warned, the coldness that is taking over your heart is a sign you are drifting far from Him.

Suggestions for prayer

Call on the Spirit of the LORD to prepare you for Sunday so that you honestly confess your sins, are open to what the preacher teaches you, and are primed to put into practice what you hear.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 18, 2026 -- I John 4:1; Proverbs 1:8-33 -- Good, godly advice

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – I John 4:1 

Scripture reading: Proverbs 1:8-33

Who is your go-to person who has the right to call you out if you are straying from the right path? An East to West mentoring relationship allows you to ask your accountability partner personal questions about how you are conducting yourself in your marriage. What about those who are seeking accountability but are not married? Then the accountability partner should ask how are you cultivating godly friendships?

In Proverbs, the godly father and mother train their children to forsake wicked counsel. As easily as you breathe in air, so it is to hear the wicked plan to ambush righteous men and to violate honourable women. One is greedy for unjust gain if not rooted in Christ. All around you, ordinary people live, work, and study. By their invitations, sly or overt, they will pressure you to join them, or compromise your godly principles. This is why a child who grows up in a Christian home, having reached maturity, must seriously evaluate who his friends are.

A godly man, or woman, may indeed have non-Christian friends, but the friends whose counsel they accept and implement must be from fellow Christians. So, it is critical for Christians to ask one another, who is your closest friend? Who can you call at midnight, when you are facing an impossible choice? Who will listen to what you’re going through and not speak soothing words solely to make you feel better about yourself? Who is the godly person offering you guidance that leads you into the right paths for Jesus’ Name sake?

Suggestions for prayer

Earnestly seek God’s blessing on the life of your single friends. Entreat the Lord to give them wise and godly friends in Christ. If you are married, ask God how you can be a better friend to those who are single.

September 17, 2026 -- Ephesians 5:1-2; 22-33 -- Love for your spouse

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1-2

Scripture reading: Ephesians 5:22-33

As a young child, I remember seeing my parents putting everything in the house in order to prepare for an elder’s visit. The elder, sometimes accompanied by the minister, would visit once a year. The purpose of the visit was to encourage believers in our precious faith and ensure the members of the household continue to be faithful in Christian duties. While I heartily applaud this practice, a once-a-year visit is not enough for believers to dig in and examine their lives.

A good accountability partner should, based on a passage like this one, be asking you: “How have you shown your wife that you love her?” Believers caught up in the rush of daily activities can easily take a spouse for granted. A husband is commanded to love his wife sacrificially and serve her, as Christ loved the Church. A wife is to submit herself to her husband as to Christ. Their marriage is to be a picture of Christ’s grace and mercy to His beloved Bride, the Church. What a high calling this is.

A wise marriage counselor once stated: “If you are not your spouse’s biggest cheerleader, then whoever becomes that will steal your spouse’s attention and eventually your spouse’s heart.” Believing husbands and wives must be focused on both blessing, and being blessed by the life’s partner God has given them. A faithful, accountability partner can help the believer understand where obedience to this high calling is being neglected, or celebrate the ways in which your marriage models the love of Christ for His people.

Suggestions for prayer

If you are not married, pray for your friends, your fellow church members who are married, that God will bless them in their marriage; as a husband or wife, pray that God will increase your capacity to love and serve your wife or husband.

September 16, 2026 -- Proverbs 3:1-12, 4:26 -- What is God teaching you?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” – Proverbs 4:26

Scripture reading: Proverbs 3:1-12

Every day, I like to make a list of things that need to be accomplished. It feels great to put a check mark beside a task I’ve completed and have the satisfaction that I am closer to completing the tasks for the day. Here’s the problem, Bible reading and prayer can easily become a task to be check marked, perhaps forgotten as soon as it is completed, as you go on with your day.

A good accountability partner might ask you weekly, what God your Father is teaching you? All that Bible reading and time spent in prayer must be leading you somewhere. Directed by the Holy Spirit, prayer times are not one-sided conversations. When believers pray, they engage in dialogue with the Almighty. When you read a Psalm as a prayer, it is God speaking to you. When you recite it, take His gift of words, and pray these back to Him in petition, praise, or pleading.

The LORD your God invites you to ponder your ways. Are you laser focused on following Jesus? Are you treating God like a vending machine: insert prayer and expect what you prayed for? Or are you humbling yourself before the One Who Lives in Unapproachable Light? The times you spend reading Scripture, listening to sermons, and being in prayer, along with the circumstances of your life, are being used by the Holy Spirit to instruct you in godliness. So, what is God teaching you? Ask your accountability partner. When asked, be prepared to respond.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that God will, by His Spirit, help you to pause and really reflect on the Bible passages you’ve been reading and meditate on what it is that God is showing you.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 15, 2026 -- Psalm 119:27, 97-104 -- Your testimonies are my meditation

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.” – Psalm 119:27 

Scripture reading: Psalm 119:97-104

According to a recent Faithwire survey, 36% of regular church-going Christians, read their Bible daily. You know this same group of people daily eat, brush their teeth and go to work. But their actions don’t show that Jesus is the most important person in their lives. A podcast host regularly says, “Action is a language.” What we do, or don’t do proves what our priorities are.

Here is where mentoring comes in. If you think of a compass, east and west are opposite one another, on the same horizontal plane. As to mentoring, I think of East and West as peers who are at the same place in their walk with Jesus. When they meet, the first question each one should ask is this: “How much time do you spend reading the Bible each day?” Asking this question at the very first meeting would help set the target each one hopes to reach.

Look how the Psalmist experiences the Word of God—variously called the Law, commandments and testimonies. These are a delight to him. He savors the Word because it keeps his feet from stumbling in the way of evil. Such pleasure in the Word of the LORD may sometimes wane in your life. Knowing you have a peer who will weekly ask you about your Bible reading, and ask you why you’re missing a day, or days, can be a great motivator to keep at it. You might find what began as a duty, committing to reading the Bible, soon becomes a daily activity you anticipate with joy.

Suggestions for prayer

If you have been slacking in your Bible reading, confess this to God; if you are keeping a faithful practice, bless God for His work in you; pray for peers and fellow Christians who may be struggling in their regular devotions that the Word may become compelling to them. 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 14, 2026 -- Luke 10:1, James 5:16-19 -- Accountable to the east and to the west

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.” – Luke 10:1

Scripture reading: James 5:16-19

You recall that on September 7th I referred to the compass mentoring idea. To the North a mature Christian teaches a younger Christian, while a mentee to the South learns from an experienced Christian. Mentoring to the East and the West applies to Christians who are at the same place in their walk with Jesus, and are prepared to have their brother hold them accountable.

James says that brothers are to confess their sins to one another. No doubt you have experienced formal times of confession in your local church. This is appropriate and a blessing to believers. However, to really get at lingering sins and areas where the enemy seems to have found a weak spot in your life requires deeper, honest fellowship. Men should meet with men, and women should meet with women. Such conversations are very personal; thus, it would be inappropriate for a man and a woman (except husband and wife) to be so vulnerable. A man needs to speak with other men, to examine if he is honouring his wife and leading his household well. A woman needs to meet with other women to see if she is honouring her husband, their marriage and walk with God?

As a prison-visiting minister, it is exciting to meet with new Christians. Their enthusiasm for the Gospel is palpable. It is difficult to meet with Christians who are lukewarm. Deep conversations, pointed questions, and a willingness to be honest with one or two other believers keeps you from drifting along.

Suggestions for prayer

For the Spirit of the Lord to reveal to you the condition of your heart, the areas in your life where you might be toying with sin; bless God for the gift of true, deep, community.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 13, 2026 -- Hebrews 10:24-25, II Timothy 3:1-9 -- Gathering each Sunday strengthening the eyes of faith

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 

Scripture reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

How does faith convince you we are in the last days before Jesus returns with all His holy ones? The list in 2 Timothy is pretty damning of our world. If you look at Scripture and compare it with the world, with the destructive habits and waywardness of the human heart, you know these are the last days. It’s easy to lose hope and wonder, is God really Lord over all of this?

No wonder Hebrews encourages believers to join with other believers in church. This is vital as the sinfulness of the world is all around us. As believers, we hold fast to our confession that Christ the Lord is risen and is seated in power at the Father’s right hand. The following is a gross illustration, but effective. When you have a generalized infection leading to a boil in the skin, the infection needs to be gathered. If you poke the boil prematurely, much of the infection is still dispersed. If you wait until the boil is full, and the infectiousness is gathered, all the vileness comes out when it is lanced. Think of the latter days in this way. The poisonous evil is gathering. Jesus is patiently waiting for the Day of His return when He will, with one stroke defeat evil.

Mature Christians must stir up young Christians to love and do good works. When the days seem darkest, the light of Christ that shines forth from us is especially powerful to those accustomed to darkness. Every Sunday, believers see the Day of Jesus’ victory drawing nearer.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray for leaders and governments and all in authority, that they may recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ; plead with the Spirit for believers to be renewed in confident hope of Christ’s sure victory at the Day of His return.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 12, 2026 -- I Corinthians 15:50-58 -- Wholehearted Service to God

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 

Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Death has been defeated. Christ, our Savior, has taken away God’s curse against your sin and has opened the way to life. In Jesus’ resurrection power, we are called to live out our Christian faith with boldness. In light of these facts, Christians are steadfast, resolved in heart and mind, to serve Jesus. Serving Jesus is not decided on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances. We will obey Jesus and live for Him, no matter what the day brings. Next, we are immovable: stubbornly prepared to serve Jesus rather than being swayed by the impulses and temptations of the world. We will do all that is required of us with joy. We are not ungenerous in our work, or sullen in our attitude. No! We are abounding in the work of the Lord knowing He has supplied and is supplying all our needs.

“Wait”, you might be protesting, “I don’t experience this!” Have you dedicated yourself fully in service to God, or are you 75% God’s and 25% serving yourself and your needs? Look at your life and consider what kind of fruit you are bearing. If you are selfish, worldly, or toying with being okay with your peers six days a week and one day a week appearing to be Christian, then you are not fully trusting in Jesus. A mentor to the North helps his mentee to discern areas of weakness, and by the strength of the Spirit shore these up. A good mentor celebrates every victory which his mentee experiences in Christ.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Father to give you patience as you mentor your children or your mentee; the faults that might bother you the most are likely ones you wrestle with yourself, so they’ll be obvious and perhaps painful. Ask for the grace of God to guide you in reconciling the work of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 11, 2026 -- Philippians 1:27-30, 2:8-10a -- Training your mentee to the south

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” – Philippians 2:8-10a 

Scripture reading: Philippians 1:27-30

For the early years of my ministry as an ordained minister, I was assigned a mentor. I had all the information my seminary training could stuff into me but, there is a big difference between knowing a thing and putting what you know into practice. Praise God that the mentor assigned to me, my mentor to the North, was godly, patient, gently humorous, and faithful in meeting regularly. Learning to laugh at ourselves keeps pride away. Appropriate humor can take the sting out of correction.

Look at what Paul commands the Philippians. Their lives are to be worthy of the gospel of Jesus. It is easy to be a Christian while you engage in your morning devotions, but hard to put your faith into practice when you are facing an enemy who wants to hurt you. Paul was writing the Philippians from prison. He knew the hardships of living in obedience to Jesus, while others reviled him.

As a mentor to the North, caring for a new Christian—a mentee to the South—listen to the challenges he is facing. Explain how you worked through your own failures in Christian living. Encourage the person with whom you’re meeting to do the next right thing. Help your mentee to overcome fear by learning to see Jesus as Paul describes Him in Philippians 2, the reigning King before Whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him Lord. Regularly instruct your mentee that being a Christian means being willing to suffer for the glorious Name of Jesus.

Suggestions for prayer

It is a great challenge to leave one’s life of sin and live in obedience to Jesus. Pray for those who are new Christians, that they will grow strong in the Lord and find deep, warm, Christian fellowship.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 10, 2026 -- Philippians 2:22, Psalm 16 -- Finding a mentor to the North

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” – Philippians 2:22 

Scripture reading: Psalm 16:1-11

A friend of mine is learning a skilled trade. He looked around for someone who is experienced, knows the trade well and then asked for help. He is apprenticing under an experienced man, who recognized someone who was committed to working hard.

Notice how the Psalmist describes God—his refuge, apart from Whom he has no good thing. Here is a suggestion on how to find a strong mentor to the North.

Begin with knowing your goal. Will you be a Sunday-only Christian? Commit yourself in faithfulness to Jesus.

Pray that God will lead you to the right mentor, someone who has expertise in an area you’re interested in, or a Christian with whom you find it easy to talk to.

Seek out a mature Christian who has faithfully served Jesus for many more years than you have. Look for someone who walks with integrity in public and in private. That is what the psalmist calls “the excellent ones” Why? Their commitment to God has matured through faithful service to God over the long haul. They have much to teach you.

Ask that person to mentor you. Explain how you want help to grow as a Christian. Come with your questions and the conundrums you’re facing. Listen to advice.

Set up a regular once a week, hour-long meeting. Give yourself a target of seven meetings. If, after seven meetings, it is not working out, then either the mentor or you, the mentee, can pull out of the meetings. If it is working out well, make a commitment to seven more meetings.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask God for a mentor to the North. If you are a strong, mature Christian, ask God to prepare you to be a mentor to others. If you are already a mentor to others, ask God to make you ready to help others who are new to this way of thinking.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 9, 2026 -- Hebrews 2:1, Romans 7:19-23 -- Training in new life

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1 

Scripture reading: Romans 7:19-23

So much of life is habit and routine. You brush your teeth at set times. You have a laundry, cleaning or chores day. Interestingly, sin is a habit and routine for those who are in its thrall. Those early steps of trying out sin, experimenting with evil, soon give way to being drawn to sin. I need it. Heeding it. Perpetuating it. The wages of sin is death.

When a Christian is set free from sin and becomes a slave to God, he has a new master. Paul points the Romans to their new master: Jesus. Here’s a great example. Those who were formerly alcoholics and now desire to live as a sober person will often have a sponsor. The sponsor will guide that person in a new way; that’s what a Christian mentor does. When facing temptation, how does one pray? Desiring to grow, how does one read the Bible? How can a Christian be fruitful in a life that leads to sanctification, a life that grows in holiness and conformity to God’s will?

In Hebrews 2 Paul gives an urgent warning not to drift away from what we have heard and been taught as followers of Jesus Christ. The devil is a subtle master at luring people away from their commitment to Jesus. It is often small compromises and insignificant seeming sins that will drag a Christian down. A wise mentor, who knows the frailty of the human heart, the wiles of sin, and the greater grace of God, will be most helpful at that precise moment.

Suggestions for prayer

That God will show you your old patterns of sin, that still cling to you like burrs; For the Holy Spirit to renew your desire to walk in holiness.

September 8, 2026 -- Isaiah 66:1-2 & II Chronicles 24:1-3; 15-22 -- Are you a bad or good mentee?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”” – Isaiah 66:1-2 

Scripture reading: 2 Chronicles 24:1-3; 15-22

Times of transition in life are the times when the man or woman of God is most in need of a solid, biblical mentor. Consider King Joash. He ascended the throne of Judah when he was only seven years old. Under the priest Jehoiada’s tutelage, Joash reigned with wisdom and rebuilt the house of the LORD. Then Jehoiada died. King Joash surrounded himself with sycophants, “yes men”, who pulled his heart away from the LORD.

It is a circumstance that is familiar in our world, too. Young men hitting high school might think their peers are better advisors than their parents. To their detriment they abandon the Christian wisdom of their parents. Young moms are overwhelmed, but instead of receiving the wise advice of older matrons in the faith, they resent such advisors.

As a minister there have been many times I’ve been privileged to sit at the bedside of an elderly Christian, who in the last labored hours of life still testified to the goodness of God. Today’s youth are often shielded from death, as if it is too scary, too graphic (though that notion should be dismissed by the violence of gaming and movies, those same youth are already imbibing!).From earliest days, to the end of life, our lives are poured out for the glory of God. As those who have been brought from death to life in Christ, we must be led in the paths of righteousness. Mentors raised up by God are all around you. Are you humble enough to receive instruction?

Suggestions for prayer: Do you tremble at the word of God? Do you have a humble spirit? Do you readily confess your sins and seek the forgiveness of God? Pray for the Spirit of God to give you holy discernment so that you will be ready, and humble enough to be teachable, when God provides you a mentor.

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 7, 2026 -- II Timothy 1:1-2 -- The Mentor to the North

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” –2 Timothy 1:1-2 

Scripture reading: Exodus 32:7-29

Years ago a colleague in the ministry taught me about compass mentoring. Just like a compass has the four points of north, south, east, and west, so a Christian should have points of contact in his walk with God. The first point of contact is north. Each Christian should have a mentor to the north, who is more experienced in the Christian faith than you are. This can be someone who is more knowledgeable in a specialized area where you need to grow. My mentor was a fellow chaplain who had much experience. He helped me to navigate the challenges of being a strong Christian, ministering in a secular environment. He’d listen and offer helpful suggestions in difficult situations. Most importantly, we’d pray together.

The Bible is filled with references of believers who are mentored by senior, more experienced men. Did you realize that Moses, when he received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, had Joshua with him? Our brief passage shows how Joshua learned so much from Moses: how to be in the presence of the LORD God (verse 7), how to pray for the wayward, rebellious people (verse11), how to lead with justice and compassion (verses 25 to 29), and how to confront a fellow leader, as Moses expressed his just anger against Aaron (verse 21ff).

How many examples of younger men being mentored by more experienced believers can you think of? (Just to get you started, the passage above gives you a New Testament example of a mature believer mentoring a younger one.

Suggestions for prayer

Give thanks to God for the beauty of the word; praise God for the blessing of mentors and those being mentored (also known as mentees) in homes, Christian schools, seminaries and so on.

September 6, 2026 -- Psalm 42:1-11 -- Vital Preaching

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship…” – Acts 2:42

Scripture reading: Psalm 42:1-11

“That is my longing for our day—and for you. That God would raise up thousands

of broken-hearted, Bible-saturated preachers who are dominated by a sense of

the greatness and the majesty and the holiness of God, revealed in the gospel of

Christ crucified and risen and reigning with absolute authority over every nation

and every army and every false religion and every terrorist and every tsunami and

every cancer cell, and every galaxy in the universe.” — John Piper, “Why Expositional Preaching Is Particularly Glorifying to God” (April 26, 2002)

The psalmist, worn down by grief and reports of evil days, was longing for God. The remembrance of days when he used to lead throngs in procession at the house of God, strengthened him. The quotation from John Piper, reminds the believer why preaching in worship is critical. Our God reigns. He has set His Son on the throne of power.

Believers through-out the ages devote themselves to preaching, to hearing the word explained. There are so many soul-crushing news reports: Christians hear of persecution. The needs around us compel us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Only after our souls have been stirred, fed, and revived in Jesus, can we disciple others with fervor that sees the dominance of Christ in every aspect of life.

Saints of old blessed God because they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. Believers rejoice in persecutions, because these prove our dependence on Christ. Today, we know we are closer to the return of Jesus. Preaching is vital for the health of every believer.

Suggestions for prayer

Give thanks to God for the preacher He has raised up in your church. Pray for the congregations around you that are seeking pastors to lead them, that God will fill that pulpit, blessing and educating His people in the way of righteousness.

September 5, 2026 -- Matthew 7:7-8a -- Preparing for Sunday

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who seeks finds…” – Matthew 7:7-8a 

Scripture reading: Psalm 1:1-6

Tomorrow is Sunday. When I was young, it was common for families to prepare for worship. There were shoes to be polished, Sunday clothes laid out, and shirts ironed. Many women prepared the Sunday meal in advance, so it only needed to be heated up the next day. Why all this work on Saturday? Because Sunday was a day of rest to delight in God and receive His instruction.

Sunday is the day believers are to be prepared to ask the Spirit of God all things which are necessary for life in Christ. If you are rushing right up to Sunday morning, pulling your shoes on as you hop out the door and grab a coffee from a drive-through before going to church, you will arrive at church breathless, distracted and unprepared for the blessings in store.

Look at the calm serenity of the man of Psalm 1. He has distanced himself from the ungodly. He has begun to meditate on the Law of the Lord. When the people of God gather, he will be steeped in the word of God, acquainted with His will, and ready to ask God for whatever is needful for life in a whirlwind world that is opposed to God.

Perhaps Sundays have lost that aspect of delight for you? How prepared are you to receive from the hand of God His blessings? Have you separated yourself from the world, so that by delighting in Jesus, you are re-charged and ready to declare His goodness to everyone you meet in the coming week?

Suggestions for prayer

Spirit of God, teach me to prepare for the Sunday so that I may be ready to receive the blessings the Father has prepared for me in Christ. Ask that your joyful anticipation of Sunday may be an inspiration to others.

September 4, 2026 -- Proverbs 11:30 -- Soul Winners

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit’s power: Sh’ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and whoever wins souls is wise.” – Proverbs 11:30 

Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:7-12

You might be thinking, I’m just a kid or an adult who’s never had children. How is this series on discipleship going to impact me? The Proverbs teach us that anyone who wins souls is wise. Such soul winning does not necessarily come by doing door-to-door evangelism. As you live a righteous life, one who believes and lives for Jesus out of the fullness of salvation in Him, others will see you and be drawn to your testimony.

Secondly, Jesus never married or had biological children, yet the Father inspired Isaiah the prophet to declare that Jesus would see His offspring. Because through faith in Jesus, many will be accounted righteous and be called sons and daughters of God. And, in a sense, we are also children of Jesus because we are His disciples. What a glorious truth. Every single person can be fruitful, and lead many to Jesus. That is the greatest fruitfulness in any life.

Daniel impacted an empire. There is no mention of his children, or his being married. Many of his contemporaries saw his faith and believed in God. Anna, the prophetess was always in the temple worshiping God. She was married for seven years, was a widow for decades, with no mention of her having children, and lived to see the infant Jesus. Her life was a tremendous witness to the Jews in the temple who heard her rejoice over Jesus. As you tell others about Jesus, you are building a legacy that is great and brings glory to Jesus.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Holy Spirit to build into your life a hunger for righteousness and a zeal to walk with Jesus. Pray that your life will be a living testimony to Jesus, bright as a lighthouse to those who are lost and seeking new life.

September 3, 2026 -- Colossians 1:12-14 -- Renewed Love

“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:12-14 

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The Scripture reading today is called “The Shema”. The command ‘hear’ in English, is the translation of the Hebrew word ‘sh’ma’, and it carries the sense that a person should hear and obey. Throughout the centuries, devout Jews have begun and ended their day by reciting Deuteronomy 6:4-5. That practice emphasizes the work of parents. The most important work in all life is to acknowledge God as Sovereign over all of one’s life. The LORD is to be feared, praised, honoured and adored.

The next emphasis of the Sh’ma is that those who belong to the LORD are to love the LORD. Our lives are to be consumed with the sole (and soul) purpose of expressing to God the Father our deepest love. The guide to such love is found in obedience to His commandments which He has given them as a rule for life and the path of thanksgiving.

Do you find your enthusiasm waning? Is training up your children in the LORD a lack-lustre enterprise? You must ask yourself this: “Am I myself overwhelmed with love and awe at the loving-kindness God demonstrated when He rescued me from death and brought me into the kingdom of the Son He loves?” If your own experience of faith is not Spirit-fueled, then the task of teaching your children will be hard slogging. Perhaps, for the remainder of this month, recite the Sh’ma, Deuteronomy 6:4-5 morning and evening. Pray for the Spirit to revive your love for God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask the Spirit of God to transform your personal Bible reading times so that the Word becomes for you living, powerful and rich. Ask God to help you to count your blessings and to see the evidence of His grace poured out in your life so that you will have a greater zeal in holy service.

September 2, 2026 -- Proverbs 1:8-10 -- Why is it always about sons?

“Hear my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, they are a graceful garland for your head and a pendant for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” – Proverbs 1:8-10 

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-3

I can hear folks protesting: why is it always sons? The focus in these verses is on training sons within the household. A couple of things are important to note. Sons are disciplined throughout their youth to be the head of the family. This was ordained by the LORD in the Garden of Eden. Husbands and fathers are to be a blessing to the members of their family.

A son who has been trained to grow in the knowledge of the LORD has been equipped to be a faithful husband and a diligent father. A wise woman would do well to look at her potential husband’s family. Are there family devotions? Can you see that his family does more than pay lip service to God? Is their faith more than a “Sunday-only” event?

A man who has been raised in the ways of God will seek a godly wife. The promise of God is that a man and a woman who are married are one flesh. It is meant to be true in their educational focus as well. A man well-instructed in the ways of wisdom will seek out a wife who is herself wise to God.

Raising children is challenging. If a man and a woman do not know the statutes and rules of God but are committed to raising their children in them, their marriage is going to face challenges. Sons who fear the LORD and demonstrate this in everyday life are good for society and ripe for the marriage market.

Suggestions for prayer

Think of the young men and women in your family, or in your church, or around you at school and pray for wisdom in choosing a husband (or a wife). Husband and wife, continually pray for your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren that they may know and serve Jesus.

September 1, 2026 -- Proverbs 5:1-2 -- The Seed of Vision Planted

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit’s Power: Sh’ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The seed of vision planted

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.” – Proverbs 5:1-2

Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-3

The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. Their sons were drowned in the Nile. The LORD their God rescued them, and guided them even after they’d refused to enter the promised land, a sin which cost the lives of all that generation (except Joshua and Caleb). Now, at the edge of the Promised Land, Moses offers his final teaching before he dies, and Joshua and the new leaders will bring the people into the Land.

The people of God are commanded to teach their sons and grandsons the laws of God daily, so that they may live in a blessed relationship with their covenant-keeping God in the Promised Land. They are to do so because their children are image-bearers of their heavenly King. Parents are given their life’s goal: to teach their children and descendants to know and love God and serve Him. Children taught in this way will be called the children of promise (spoken of in God’s covenant to Abram Genesis 15:1ff). Look at the promises which attend this command. The people will multiply greatly. They will live securely in the land flowing with milk and honey.

Each family is a building block of society. As the families are committed to teaching the way of God to their children, it is expected that the knowledge of the LORD will be the fragrance that wafts from each home, entering the market and the public square and ultimately serving as a powerful witness of the glory of God to all the nations around them.

Suggestions for prayer

If perhaps you find you have been slacking a bit in teaching your children the way of the LORD, it might be a good day to recommit to this. If you are well focused on this, ask the Spirit how you might be an encouragement to others who are struggling.

From devotional: Nearer to God

Richard Vander Vaart is this month’s writer

Theme: Discipleship

August 31, 2026 -- Psalm 96:9 -- Worship--what is it?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Psalm 96:9 ESV
 
What is worship? What follows is a partial list, a reflection of what it means to worship God.

• It is a life-long conversation with God. There are formal times when we pray to God. It is our speaking to God.

• There are informal times of prayer as well. When we’re driving and we happen to see a glorious sunset and we say, “God, You’re amazing”.

• When we read the Bible, it is God speaking to us. He has stooped to our weakness; the infinite God of all creation knows you and me by name. He has made a way open for us to know Him, hear Him, and be directed by His Holy Spirit. It is worship to hear the voice of God in the Word.

• Worship means we sing to God. I know that we can be self-conscious, but it amazes me how easily people will sing rock anthems, or love songs, but are too embarrassed to sing the praises of God Who made us. Remember how Moses argued with God and said, “I can’t be Your voice to Pharaoh because I speak with stutters?” God answered: “Who made your mouth and lips?” The obvious answer is: “You did”. So, with whatever talent, or lack of talent you have, praise God with your voice.

• We give our gifts and offerings to Him we are worshipping God. We recognize what we place in the offering plate sanctifies, makes holy, whatever we have. But we also give out there in the world. If we see our brother or sister in need, but don’t help, then we are no better than the pagans.

• Worship also takes place on Sundays, when believers get together. This is a formal time of removing all hinderances and distractions and together looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of all true believing.

• Worship is adoring Jesus, in Whom we have been reconciled to God. Jesus’ blood covered our sins. Jesus’ blood turns aside God’s just anger against our sins, past, present, and future. Worship is declaring: “Jesus, You are all my joy”.

 
Oh God, I am Yours. What a privilege that is. If I understood more fully the greatness of the privilege of belonging to You, words of worship would never stop flowing from my lips! As it is, I confess how faint is my praise, how few my songs of adoration and how flimsy my faith is. Spirit of God, renew in me the knowledge of Jesus and restore to me the joy of my salvation. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/UoHrBNTfzIs?si=UlWUhR2v2iBcMXKs Gratitude
 

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